Courtesy of the SOC Clyde Area Grapevine, I can report the following recent sightings at Balgray Reservoir:
26 September 2012
Two Scaup, a male and a female and a Guillemot on Balgray Reservoir, also a Greenshank, a Redshank, six Ringed Plover and five Dunlin. At 1120 hrs a juvenile Gannet SW over there.
24 September 2012
A juvenile Gannet flying around Balgray Reservoir at midday, also a drake Scaup, a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper still present with two Dunlin and four Ringed Plovers.
23 September 2012
Two Green Sandpipers and three Ringed Plovers at Balgray Reservoir, also 22 Goosanders.
22 September 2012
One Green Sandpiper, at least one Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers at Balgray Reservoir.
It looks as if the RSPB Glasgow Group's outing on the 12th was just a wee bit too early! Who would be an 'outings organiser'?
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Sunday 16 September 2012
Bingham's Pond - Glasgow Doors Open Day
As part of Glasgow Doors Open day, I led a short guided walk around Bingham's Pond outlining the flora and fauna to be found following the naturalisation project that was completed in 2003.
Although there was an adverse weather forecast, I am pleased to say that 10 people turned up (15 had booked). Despite the rain, I hope they found the walk informative and perhaps they will become regular visitors to the Pond - I certainly hope so.
Once the walk was over, I undertook my monthly 'Webs count' of wetland birds - birds present were 2 Mute Swan; 20 Mallard; 12 Tufted Duck; 19 Moorhen; 5 Coot; 13 Black-headed Gull; 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and the 4 domesticated/cayuga ducks.
Bingham's Pond 2003 - the 2 islands begin to take shape
Bingham's Pond 2012
Although there was an adverse weather forecast, I am pleased to say that 10 people turned up (15 had booked). Despite the rain, I hope they found the walk informative and perhaps they will become regular visitors to the Pond - I certainly hope so.
Once the walk was over, I undertook my monthly 'Webs count' of wetland birds - birds present were 2 Mute Swan; 20 Mallard; 12 Tufted Duck; 19 Moorhen; 5 Coot; 13 Black-headed Gull; 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and the 4 domesticated/cayuga ducks.
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Balgray Reservoir - Wader Success?
I led a RSPB Glasgow Local Group outing to Balgray Reservoir today and I am pleased to say that 15 others decided to join me.
I hoped that we would see some passage migrants, particularly waders, as well as species that breed both here and at the other nearby reservoirs.
In order to attract waders the water level needs to be low thereby exposing both an island and mud along the south western and southern edge of the reservoir. The water levels were dropping and the island had appeared...............but only gulls, corvids, a couple of Pied Wagtails and a solitary Cormorant could be seen.
The island at Balgray Reservoir is just visible
However, when we reached the south west corner we had some success with 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Common Snipe feeding on the exposed mud. Also seen was a small flock of Lapwing resting on the northern edge of the reservoir. So 4 species of wader! Other passage migrants included Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin. We also had good views of another summer visitor - the Common Whitethroat.
Record shot of Common Whitethroat at Balgray Reservoir
Other species of note included Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Buzzard and Great Crested Grebe - it was good to see a young bird at Balgray and at least another 4 at the nearby Waulkmill Glen Reservoir indicating some breeding success.
The weather was excellent and a big thank you to those that joined me on another enjoyable outing.
Monday 10 September 2012
Busy Few Days
On Thursday (6th) I presented an illustrated talk to the RSPB Glasgow Local Group on 'The Birds and other animals of Poole Harbour and Purbeck'. This gave me a chance to sing-the-praises of an area that is brilliant for wildlife and project a few(!) of the images I have taken in my many visits to the area..............
Yesterday (9th) I helped at the Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves event at Dawsholm Park Local Nature Reserve in Glasgow. Five Starling nest boxes and 3 bat boxes were erected whilst 20+ bags of rubbish were removed, albeit some litter was so 'ingrained' it couldn't be removed with just litter pickers!
I led a guided walk and there were three pond dipping sessions. Thankfully the rain stayed away and hopefully everyone had a good time. For more information about the event see http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com
This Wednesday I am leading a bird watching outing to Balgray Reservoir between Barrhead and Newton Mearns. More info from www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow
Finally, on Sunday 16th, I am leading a guided walk around Bingham's Pond in Glasgow as part of 'Glasgow's Doors Open Day'. I am pleased to say that this is fully booked but check for cancellations on www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com and click on booking.
Little Egret, Brownsea Island
Sandwich Tern and chick, Brownsea Island
Yesterday (9th) I helped at the Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves event at Dawsholm Park Local Nature Reserve in Glasgow. Five Starling nest boxes and 3 bat boxes were erected whilst 20+ bags of rubbish were removed, albeit some litter was so 'ingrained' it couldn't be removed with just litter pickers!
I led a guided walk and there were three pond dipping sessions. Thankfully the rain stayed away and hopefully everyone had a good time. For more information about the event see http://friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com
This Wednesday I am leading a bird watching outing to Balgray Reservoir between Barrhead and Newton Mearns. More info from www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow
Balgray Reservoir
Finally, on Sunday 16th, I am leading a guided walk around Bingham's Pond in Glasgow as part of 'Glasgow's Doors Open Day'. I am pleased to say that this is fully booked but check for cancellations on www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com and click on booking.
Bingham's Pond
Tuesday 4 September 2012
Millichen (if at first you don't succeed!)
Another visit to Millichen, again in hope of finding some passage migrants.
Other birds of note, among the twenty four seen in just under 3 hours, were at least 25 Swallow and 1 Grey Wagtail feeding in one of the drainage ditches/realigned burn.
The most memorable sighting has to be the Roe Deer that was totally oblivious to my presence. At one stage it headed straight for me as if it planned to jump the gate I was standing behind when I moved slightly and it veered off at the last moment!
The fields and puddle known as Millichen Flood!
With the 'flood' still no bigger than a puddle and only 5 Mallard and 2 Grey Heron to be seen I concentrated on the hedgerows and overhead wires.
At East Millichen there were 62 Collared Dove sitting on wires with a further 43+ perched in a lone tree and coming down into the fields and hedgerows - a potential record count of at least 105 birds!
Poor record shot of some of the Collared Doves to be seen at East Millichen
A scan of these hedgerows with my 'scope resulted in c60 House Sparrow, 4 Tree Sparrow, 1 Whinchat, 2 Yellowhammer and 1 Whitethroat being seen.
The 'tree and hedgerows' at East Millichen Farm
Other birds of note, among the twenty four seen in just under 3 hours, were at least 25 Swallow and 1 Grey Wagtail feeding in one of the drainage ditches/realigned burn.
The most memorable sighting has to be the Roe Deer that was totally oblivious to my presence. At one stage it headed straight for me as if it planned to jump the gate I was standing behind when I moved slightly and it veered off at the last moment!
Roe Deer at East Millichen before it headed straight for me!
Marsh Harrier and Osprey!
Two items courtesy of the SOC Clyde Grapevine :
"Today (31 August 2012) there was a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying from the Gartloch Pool area towards Bishop Loch, Glasgow at 1115 hrs, relocated at Bishop Loch at 1250 hrs, before flying north in the direction of Johnston Loch."
This is at least the third record of Marsh Harrier for Gartloch Pools and Bishop Loch.
Both sightings help confirm the importance of the Seven Lochs Project - an area that includes Hogganfield Park LNR, Frankfield Loch and Gartloch Pools in Glasgow all the way through to Drumpellier Country Park and Johnston Loch in North Lanarkshire.
"Today (31 August 2012) there was a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying from the Gartloch Pool area towards Bishop Loch, Glasgow at 1115 hrs, relocated at Bishop Loch at 1250 hrs, before flying north in the direction of Johnston Loch."
"Late news for 2
September 2012 - An Osprey at Frankfield
Loch, Glasgow at 0730 hrs, flying in the direction of Hogganfield
where it was not relocated."
This is at least the third record of Marsh Harrier for Gartloch Pools and Bishop Loch.
Both sightings help confirm the importance of the Seven Lochs Project - an area that includes Hogganfield Park LNR, Frankfield Loch and Gartloch Pools in Glasgow all the way through to Drumpellier Country Park and Johnston Loch in North Lanarkshire.
Gartloch Pool (south)
See my post of 11 May 2012 for more information on the Seven Lochs Project.
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